Channeled divider panel and method thereof

ABSTRACT

At least one divider panel consisting of a plurality of raised projections spaced out such that at least one channel is formed between the projections. Two or more divider panels may be provided which removably mate together and thus create an interlocking panel shape. The dividers are placed within a shipping container or crate, and thus the shipping container has different compartment segments therein for the insertion of internal material such as fruit, vegetables, or nuts to be segmented into each of the different compartment segments. The channel or channels allows the free flow of air and liquid therein to allow for quick washing and uniform freezing of the internal material while in the shipping container.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to the field of shipping and packaging, and more particularly to Channeled Divider Panels for separating, or for disjoining batch material in regard to as said material is placed within a shipping or packaging container.

INTRODUCTION

Containers are frequently used in various aspects of the packaging industry. Particularly, the fruit processing industry utilizes heavy wooden crates for their transportation and storage of fruit.

There are currently many in-process variables that cause yield fluctuation throughout a manufacturing day. One of the largest reasons for destroyed product, or scrap, is that the quality of the product itself has degraded to unusable condition. When dealing with certain fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, peanuts, and tree nuts for example, harvested fresh food gets stored until packaged or further processed. A current method utilized to maintain food integrity and freshness throughout storage and transportation, up to thawing and processing is to freeze the food.

One of the most common approaches utilizes stacking wooden bins, or crates, filled with raw fruit into a fan circulated freezer area. An unintended consequence of this stacking method is that the fruit packed on the walls of the exterior of the bins is frozen quickly, though the fruit in the center of the binned fruit mass maintains its heat and moisture, delaying freezing. This results in a lot of fruit scrap as the quality of the material is degraded due to the maintaining moisture, and only a percentage of the originally binned material can be saved.

Unfortunately, many fruit processors do not have a large amount of capital to invest in different methods of freezing. Additionally, an abundance of labor would be required to transport arriving material and restacking to a different container for freezing, then restacking the frozen material back into the original container, should a different storage container be desired.

What is needed, is a device and method therefore which can increase the consistency of freezing as to the center mass of material within a storage container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a Channeled Divider Panel for the rapid diversification and transportation of materials which may be utilized in a shipping or freezing capacity.

The Channeled Divider Panel provides a panel, generally a durable panel comprised of a solid structure such as plastic, metal, glass, silicone, bamboo, wood, or the like. The aforementioned panel consists of a top section, or wall, a bottom section, and a plurality of side walls. The panel will have a first, or front, face, and a second face, otherwise known as a rear face. Upon the bottom wall is a slot, which extends from the bottom wall upwardly towards the top wall, encompassing a portion of the panel itself.

Upon the first face are a plurality of raised projections, each having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends. The raised projections are extended away from the face wall at a distance known as the raised projection width. These raised projections are dispersed and positioned on the face in a pattern spaced out, such that between said projections a lowered portion known as a channel is created. The particular width of the raised projections and the specifics of the deployed patterns are more impactful depending on the particularities of the use and the material contemplated. It is presently thought that one of the patterns of raised projections could potentially be spaced like a honeycomb, or a brick pattern, such that a channel exists in the horizontal and the vertical, or the X-axis and the Y-axis. In such a fashion, a channel is presented surrounding each raised projection.

In a similar fashion, upon the second face are a plurality of raised projections, each having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends. These raised projections are also dispersed and positioned upon the second face in such a pattern where a channel, or channels are created near or surrounding the raised projections.

There are multiple different shapes of raised projections which could be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. Depending on the particular application, various shapes can be deployed. A square, a rectangle, or an abstract shape may be utilized. It is presently thought a raised projection with an additional smaller portion of material at the top and the bottom of the raised material will help prevent debris and undersized material from entering and clogging the channels, while also allowing a substantial portion of air to flow unimpeded.

With these channels, air can be naturally or artificially pushed therethrough, to allow a consistent amount of air to be passed to and through the core of the material located in the product mass. Further, material positioned therein can be washed and water can be quickly removed from the shipping container by way of the channels. Preferably, the previously mentioned raised projections have enough raised projection width to allow for the product to be positioned away from the face of the panel, either the front face or the rear face. Additionally, the raised projections are positioned apart enough such that a channel is created, while simultaneously positioned close enough to prevent product from entering the channels.

A second panel may be provided to create an interlocking panel shape to be utilized within a shipping container. A single panel could section the contents of a shipping container into two compartments, and the addition of a second panel may section the contents into four compartments.

The slot of the Channeled Divider Panel is configured such that if a second panel were provided, the slot of the first panel would be received within the slot of the second panel, creating an interlocking panel shape, such as an ‘X’ shape, or a “+” shape. To create this shape, one of the two aforementioned panels would be inverted such that the bottom wall faces on the opposing end as to the opposing panel, and the slot is thus opened away from the ground. The opposing panel is lifted and positioned over the slot such that the two slots are within the same vertical axis. The two slots are then adaptably received, creating the X or the Plus/Cross shape as desired.

As one with skill in the art of shipping and packaging would instantly recognize, a third panel may create six compartments, and so on. Should a third panel be utilized, it would necessitate that one of the panels comprises two open slots on the bottom end extending upwardly towards the top wall. This panel with two slots will then interact with the remaining two panels respectively. The number of additional panels are thus only limited by the number of slots contained within the primary panel itself.

In another aspect, a method of assembling a divider partition comprises a variety of steps. One will need to have a shipping container such as a box, or a crate. Next, the divider panels as previously described will be gathered, and adaptably received and mated by way of the open slots in each panel. It is also contemplated that the panels could be joined together by way of fasteners and plates, or other like means, either end to end or top to bottom to cover a larger container space. Whichever way the panels are joined, mated, or fastened together, the panels will create an interlocking panel shape, which is directly dependent upon the amount of panels. After assembling the interlocking panels, the channeled divider panel will be placed within the shipping container, which creates a plurality of compartments. Once in place, material is added to the shipping container, and thus the compartments therein. The material can be of any type which is desired to be transported and moved. Presently, it is thought this disclosure would work well with smaller perishable items such as fruit that are typically individually frozen for later transport. Some examples of such fruit would be cranberries, blueberries, cherries, plums, limes, lemons, gooseberries, boysenberries, strawberries, oranges, and raspberries. All fruit or vegetable or the like need not be listed to be encompassed herein and many other types of individually frozen foods are contemplated but listing would be too exhausting.

A person with ordinary skill in the art of packaging or shipping would instantly recognize the many areas with which the present disclosure would be useful for, particularly with storing, transporting and uniformly freezing said material, if desired. Continuing on, the shipping container complete with the channeled divider panel and material therein is brought within a fan circulated freezer room. Fan circulated freezer room is a term used herein as the area with which the material is to be frozen or prepped for transportation. The material may then sit for a period of time until ready to be transported to another location. Water may be sprayed upon the material to clean it, with the excess water draining out by way of the previously mentioned channels on the modular panels. Further, air may be pushed through the channels by way of air supply lines or the like in order to ensure debris and undersized material is moved out of the channels, and to encourage uniform air and temperature reaching the center masses of material.

It is presently understood and specifically contemplated that this disclosure will lend itself to be utilized as permanent fixtures within shipping crates. Shipping crates are generally thought of as open boxes, wherein they comprise a front end, a back end, plurality of side ends, and a bottom end. A top end may be provided in some circumstances but is generally removable or have the capacity to open and reveal the volume therein. Thus, the Channeled Divider Panel, or Channeled Divider Panels as the case may be, can be formed or otherwise attached within the shipping crate for permanence.

Alternatively, the Channeled Divider Panel may be deployed as a temporary fixture within shipping crates or other packaging containers. In such a fashion, the Channeled Divider Panel is removable, can be inserted or placed within said packaging container prior to receiving material therein. After the transportation, freezing, or at a time determined feasible by a human user, the Channeled Divider Panel may be removed, and the material can then meld, merge, or amalgamate together.

To assist with the removal of the Channeled Divider Panel while material is present, a panel opening, or a multitude thereof, is contemplated. These panel openings act as handles to carry the panels by hand, and can be used as attachment points for a gripping device such as a human hand, a grapple, a rope, a pulley, or the like. In such a manner, the Channeled Divider Panel, or Channeled Divider Panels, within a shipping container surrounded by material can be more easily removed therefrom.

These and various other features, advantages, modes, and objects of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and any appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel wherein two panels are interlocked an in an “X” position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel deployed within a shipping container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel with two panels shown in a non-interlocked open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the raised projections deployed in a honeycomb pattern, highlighting the channels surrounding said honeycomb pattern;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the raised projections of an embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel wherein three panels are interlocked;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel wherein one panel is shown in a non-interlocked open position with a multitude of open slots; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Channeled Divider Panel wherein the Channeled Divider Panel is affixed to a shipping container.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of assembling a Channeled Divider Panel within a shipping container for use with fruit contained within a fan circulated freezer room.

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details or modes of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or previously disclosed illustrations. This invention is capable of multiple embodiments and modes, which can be practiced or carried out in many various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting, or used as an absolute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a channeled divider panel 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. Shown here are two modular panels 20 that are deployed in an interlocking panel shape 170, which as shown here is a “X” or a “+” shape.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the channeled divider panel 10 is shown within a shipping container 160, and the interlocking panel shape 170 module creates a plurality of compartments therein. As previously discussed, material, such as fruit, can be deployed or positioned within these compartments created within the shipping container 160. One embodiment of the channeled divider panel 10 utilizes a panel opening 80 on the modular panel 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of modular panels 20 are shown in a non-interlocked position. Each modular panel 20 has a panel top wall 30, a panel bottom wall 40, and a plurality of panel side walls 50. An open slot 60 is depicted here as shown extending from the bottom wall 40 upwardly to a point now as the slot wall 70.

The slot wall 70, as defined herein, is the most upwardly point of the open slot 60 as from the panel bottom wall 40. Further, the slot wall 70 are where two or more modular panels 20 meet and join when forming an interlocking panel shape 170. As discussed above, the modular panels 20 here are deployed in opposing positions, such that the open slot 60 is shown on opposing sides, to effectuate the mating of the modular panels 20.

Looking now at FIG. 4, a close view of the channeled divider panel 10 is shown, highlighting the honeycomb pattern of the panel raised projections 100. By way of explanation, the raised projections 100 are as viewed from the lower portion of the modular panel 20 itself, the panel face 90. As previously mentioned, the panel face 90 may be either the first face or the second face of the modular panel 20, otherwise known as the front face or the rear face thereof. The positioning of the raised projections 100 as to each other allows for the creation of a vertical channel 150, as well as a horizontal channel 155, generally surrounding each raised projection 100.

As defined herein, a channel is the portion between raised projections 100, which will allow for air, water, or the like to flow through and around the raised projections 100. However, preferably the channel is of such width, height, and depth such that material and debris which may be contained within a shipping container 160 cannot ingress. Such a pattern, created by the brick wall or honeycomb pattern as shown, will result in the previously mentioned material resting against the face of the raised projection 100 itself, rather than on the face wall 90 in the vertical channel 150, or the horizontal channel 155.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the raised projections 100 of the present disclosure. While the particular design of the raised projections 100 may vary, this particular embodiment highlights a raised projection top end 110 with additional material creating impediment material 190 thereon. This will allow the intersection point 180, also known as where a horizontal channel 155 meets a vertical channel 150, to not be a clean intersection thereof. This additional feature of the impediment material 190 prevents debris or undersized material which did ingress a channel from free flowing unimpeded. It may also encourage such interloping material to exit the channel thereof.

The raised projections 100 extend away from the face wall 90 as described above in a distance described herein as the raised projection width 140. The width of the projection itself may be adjusted based on use. For instance, for the cranberry market, it is presently thought that the raised projection width 140 may be an amount greater than one-quarter inch. For other materials the raised projection width 140 may be even greater, or perhaps less.

As shown here, the vertical channel 150 is created by the face wall 90, and the raised projection width 140 as to the raised projection side ends 130. As is appreciated by those with skill in the art, particularly the art of shipping or packaging, the farther the raised projections 100 are placed from each other, the wider the vertical channel 150 width shall become.

The horizontal channel 155 is similarly created by the face wall 90, and the raised projection width 140 as to the raised projection top end 110 and as to the raised projection bottom end 120 of a similarly positioned raised projection 100.

For larger shipping containers 160, or for uses where more compartments are desired, a third modular panel 20 may be deployed, as depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The first modular panel 20 utilized will have a plurality of open slots 60 as shown in FIG. 7, to accompany the additional modular panels 20 as depicted in FIG. 6. The number of open slots 60 deployed on the bottom wall 40 of a modular panel 20 directly correlates with the amount of additional modular panels 20 which may be utilized to create an interlocking panel shape 170.

FIG. 8 highlights a shipping container 160 wherein a channeled divider panel 10 is attached or formed thereto. In such a fashion, the modular panels 20 may be permanently adhered or attached or could be removably attached for ease of cleaning and maintenance. These modular panels 20, if plural in nature, will thus have the ability to assemble into an interlocking panel shape 170 of the channeled divider panel 10. It is specifically contemplated that the shipping crates may additionally have a guide system for the modular panels 20 to slide in and out of position.

Last, we look at FIG. 9. A method 300 is displayed for a human user to freeze material within a shipping container by way of utilizing the present disclosure within an existing shipping container. The first step is to provide a shipping container 310. A plurality of modular panels as described herein is provided 320, each modular panel having raised projections as described, creating surrounding channels being at least one horizontal channel and at least one vertical channel. The plurality of modular panels are then interlocked 330 by way of the open slot on each modular panel as described herein, creating an interlocking panel shape. This interlocking panel shape is then placed within the previously mentioned shipping container 340, creating different compartments therein. Now material, such as fruit, vegetables, or the like are added into the shipping container 350. Now that the shipping container is loaded, the shipping container is moved into a fan circulated freezer room 360. At this point, the material may then be washed or individually frozen.

In another embodiment, an additional step of supplying air lines to the channels of the modular panels 370 is provided. In such a fashion, an air compressor or any other air supply device will provide air circulation within at least one of the channels, allowing for air to reach the material located most centrally as viewed from the shipping container.

Understandably, the present Channeled Divider Panel 10 has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments or models. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the Channeled Divider Panel 10, to those skilled in the art of which this invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications, models, and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A container divider, comprising: a panel having a front face, a rear face, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein said bottom wall additionally comprises an open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly; a plurality of raised projections upon the panel front face and extending therefrom, said front face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends; wherein said front face raised projections are positioned such that a channel is formed therebetween; wherein at least one panel opening adaptable to receive a human hand is positioned near the top end of the panel; a plurality of raised projections upon the panel rear face and extending therefrom, said rear face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends; and wherein said rear face raised projections are positioned such that a channel is formed therebetween.
 2. The container divider of claim 1, wherein the front face channel is a vertical channel
 3. The container divider of claim 2, wherein the front face raised projections are positioned in a honeycomb pattern such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween in addition to the vertical channel.
 4. The container divider of claim 3, wherein the rear face channel is a vertical channel.
 5. The container divider of claim 4, wherein the rear face raised projections are positioned in a honeycomb pattern such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween in addition to the vertical channel.
 6. The container divider of claim 5, wherein a second container divider panel is provided, said second container divider panel comprising a front face, a rear face, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein said bottom wall additionally comprises an open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly, and said second container divider panel open slot is adaptably received within the open slot of the first container divider panel.
 7. The container dividers of claim 6, wherein the second container divider panel additionally comprises a plurality of raised projections upon the panel front face and extending therefrom, said front face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends, and further comprising a plurality of raised projections upon the panel rear face and extending therefrom, said rear face raised projections additionally comprise a top end with an additional portion of material thereon, a bottom end with an additional portion of material thereon, and a plurality of side ends.
 8. The container dividers of claim 7, wherein the second container divider panel front face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel is formed therebetween, and further wherein the second container divider panel rear face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel is formed therebetween.
 9. The container dividers of claim 8, wherein the second container divider panel front face raised projections are positioned in a honeycomb pattern such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween, and further wherein the second container divider rear face raised projections are positioned in a honeycomb pattern such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween.
 10. The container dividers of claim 9, wherein the first container divider panel additionally comprises a second open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly.
 11. The container dividers of claim 10, wherein a third container divider panel is provided, said third container divider panel comprising a front face, a rear face, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein said bottom wall additionally comprises an open slot extending from said bottom wall upwardly, and said third container divider panel open slot is adaptably received within the second open slot of the first container divider panel.
 12. The container dividers of claim 11, wherein the third container divider panel additionally comprises a plurality of raised projections upon the panel front face and extending therefrom, said front face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends, and further comprising a plurality of raised projections upon the panel rear face and extending therefrom, said rear face raised projections additionally comprise a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends.
 13. The container dividers of claim 12, wherein the third container divider panel front face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel is formed therebetween, and further wherein the third container divider panel rear face raised projections are positioned such that a vertical channel is formed therebetween.
 14. The container dividers of claim 13, wherein the third container divider panel front face raised projections are positioned such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween, and further wherein the third container divider rear face raised projections are positioned such that a horizontal channel is formed therebetween.
 15. A container divider comprising: A shipping container with a front end, a back end, two side ends, and a bottom end; a plurality of durable panels contained within said shipping container, each of the plurality of durable panels having a top end, a bottom end, a plurality of side walls, a rear wall and a front wall; an open slot at the bottom end of the container divider, projected partially upwardly along the front wall and the rear wall; a plurality of raised projections from the front wall, each raised projection having a top end with an additional portion material thereon, a bottom end with an additional portion of material thereon, and a plurality of side ends, positioned such that a channel is formed surrounding said raised projection; a plurality of raised projections from the rear wall, each raised projection having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side ends, positioned such that a channel is formed surrounding said raised projection; wherein one of the plurality of durable panels is adaptably received within the open slot of said durable panel to the open slot of another durable panel.
 16. The container divider of claim 15, wherein the plurality of durable panels additionally comprise a panel opening positioned near the top end, and a second panel opening positioned near the bottom end.
 17. The container divider of claim 16, wherein the plurality of panel openings are adaptable to receive a human hand.
 18. The plurality of container dividers of claim 17, wherein the front face raised projections are positioned in a honeycomb pattern, and further wherein the rear face raised projections are in a honeycomb pattern.
 19. A method of assembling a channeled divider partition which creates a plurality of compartments inside of a shipping container, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a shipping container; (b) providing a plurality of panels having a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of side walls; (c) providing an open slot at the bottom end of each of the panels, each open slot projected upwardly; 